Tag Archives: Tourism Fiji

Tourism Fiji will have a refreshed Matai specialist programme with enhanced tools for agents with a more dynamic interface that will be launched soon. Revealing this is Seema Kadam, Country Manager – India, Tourism Fiji, who adds, “We are already in the process of doing a lot of trade and consumer engagement programmes via our key stakeholders, and through conducting  trade trainings and trade famils. We are also keen to work on B2C platforms like radio, television and host bloggers and travel journalists on a famil which will help spread awareness about Fiji’s offerings.” Fiji started the year with the announcement of its Brand Ambassador actor Ileana Dcruz and the appointment of Kadam as the Country Manager for India. “The focus for 2018 is both on driving awareness of the destination through the B2C medium as well as driving conversions with our trade partners. We have a comprehensive trade calendar planned to achieve this in 2018,” she adds.

Tourism Fiji has appointed actor Ileana D’Cruz as its brand ambassador for the India market. Following a successful collaboration with the Bollywood celebrity in 2017, Tourism Fiji now aims to showcase more of its offerings to travellers from India through more engagements with her. As part of this engagement, D’Cruz will be travelling to Fiji in April this year to experience more activities. For year ending December 2017, Fiji saw 30 per cent increase in arrivals from India as compared to 2016. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Fijian Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources, said, “India is a key emerging market for Fiji and we have been receiving steady positive growth in visitor arrival numbers from India over the past five years. Fiji and India share an age old connection with over 40 per cent of Fiji’s population being of Indian origin. With D’Cruz as our brand ambassador, we hope to get more Indians to come and experience the diverse culture of our island country.”

Tourism Fiji has announced the appointment of Seema Kadam as its Country Manager for India. She will be based in Mumbai and will be responsible for Tourism Fiji’s activities across India. Kadam brings with her an abundance of knowledge of the travel industry and products as well as great interpersonal and business development skills. Having worked and excelled at other international tourism companies such as Switzerland Tourism, where she was the Area Manager, she is well qualified to lead the team in India for Tourism Fiji. Matthew Stoeckel, CEO, Tourism Fiji, said, “India is a strategically important market for us and one that has significant potential for sustainable long-term growth. This new appointment is the first of many steps we have taken to increase visitor arrivals from India and further promote Fiji within the India market. Visitor arrivals from India have grown by 24 per cent over the last three years and we hope to drive these numbers up further.”

Tourism Fiji is on a 6-city roadshow in India, which they brought to New Delhi as well. Matthew Stoeckel, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Fiji, spoke regarding the growth from India, and said, “India is a very good market for us and has huge potential. The connectivity has increased via Fiji Airways’ twice weekly flight between Singapore and Fiji and their code share with Jet Airways to cities like Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Owing to this, the growth has been great, and in the last 5 years, the numbers have risen to 20 per cent. In 2017, the numbers have increased to 28 percent. There is high growth, and we expect it to grow it further with a whole range of consumer activities that we are doing, including special promotion with Indian actress Ileana D’Cruz.”

Tourism Fiji, represented by Mumbai-based Global Destinations in India, has planned a six-city roadshow in the country at the end of July this year. The roadshow will start on July 24 in Mumbai, then reach Kolkata on July 26, moving on to New Delhi on July 27, then to Ahmedabad on July 28 and Chennai on July 31 and finally end at Bengaluru on August 1, 2017. Pranav Kapadia, Founder, Global Destinations, explains, “We will have 10 Fijian partners coming down for this roadshow. These will include hotels, resorts and DMCs.” Global Destinations will also be present at the Global Panaroma Showcase (GPS) 2017 in three cities: Pune, Kochi and Chandigarh.

ETAA will be hosting its second domestic convention from March 3-5, near Hyderabad. The convention will be held at Leonia Resort which is one hour away from the Hyderabad airport. As of now Tourism Fiji have confirmed to be the co-sponsors for the convention and other tourism boards may soon join in. The convention will host B2B sessions, presentations from the exhibitors and sponsors showcasing new products and destinations to its members. The third day will be a optional sightseeing tour of Hyderabad which will be part of the package. Speaking on the occasion Jagat Mehta, President, ETAA said, “We want to showcase new products to our members and maximise their business possibilities so we will be having exhibitors showcasing unique products at the convention. We may also plan to keep knowledge sessions on GST and its effect on the travel industry once there is a clear picture by the government. We expect 200 plus members across the country to attend the convention.” ETAA will also be hosting knowledge sessions in Kolkata on 4th February and Hyderabad on 10th February focussing on up-selling and cross selling where professionals from the travel and trade industry will be present.